Herricks aims to dethrone Syosset in Nassau high school soccer final

The Nassau boys soccer final is the ultimate trick-or-treat this Halloween night.

It’s an epic storyline that writes itself at the AAA class as defending champion Syosset goes to battle with Herricks, a six seed that hasn’t won it all since 2005.

“It was 20 years ago, which is why I think it’s the perfect time to bring it back home,” Herricks head coach Adriana Mendrinos told The Post after a nail-biting 1-0 semifinal win over Port Washington.

“I was holding my breath… I started crying right away,” added the coach, whose team enjoyed the ultimate redemption after only two wins last year.

Taking the high road 

The Highlanders have notched success this time around thanks to a senior core Mendrinos brought up to varsity as ninth graders who had “the potential to develop this program.”

“They saw from a young age what my expectation was,” she said.

Senior center-midfielder Robert Profeta even admitted, “We were probably the biggest joke in the county” when he got called up as a freshman.

“This program really took a big turnaround… we’ve bought in, 100%.”

The all-in mentality is fostering tremendous confidence between the pipes for keeper Brayden Haase, who hasn’t allowed a goal in the past four games.

“It means a lot playing behind the back line that I have,” said Haase, who became a goalie in 10th grade out of necessity for his team.

“I don’t plan on giving up any goals at all.”

Striker Saif Khan, who scored the winning goal with under 10 minutes left in the semifinals, is most proud of the squad’s perseverance to get the Highlanders to new heights through years of trials and tribulations.

“It’s not a different team, it’s just everybody just stepped up. It’s a different mindset,” said the junior.

“Winning that championship would be such a great cap on the seniors’ careers and put a statement out there about Herricks.”

Seeing Red 

Nothing will come easy as the Syosset boys want back-to-back titles badly, and bled for a double-overtime 1-0 win against top-seeded Oceanside in the semifinals.

“I kept thinking, ‘This game is not going to penalty kicks. We’re going to finish it here,’ ” said senior co-captain and striker Xavier Pultz, who scored the golden goal with under four minutes left in the period.

“I couldn’t even speak — it was just pure excitement.”

Head coach Brett Waxer said that his group hasn’t taken a thing for granted during this campaign, as he stressed that no good comes from resting on the laurels of last year.

“The boys are beyond ready to go, and we’re really looking forward to it,” said Waxer, who added that many alumni have also become incredibly invested in the team’s success.

Syosset also knows Herricks means business after a 2-0 loss in September to the Highlanders.

“When we first played them, we didn’t play our style,” co-captain and senior midfielder Cole Maguire said.

“We just didn’t play as a team, and the only way you’re going to win games is if you play as a team, play together — and that’s what we’re definitely changing.”

There is one thing the Syosset boys won’t be changing, and that is their favorite pre-game ritual of going for pizza at Frantoni’s in Woodbury.

“Maybe we’re a little superstitious,” said Jake Dapice, the team’s third co-captain and center-midfielder.

With it all on the line in what’s forecast to be a gloomy night on All Hallows Eve, who could blame Maguire for religiously getting a corner Sicilian slice?

“It’s not a corner, I send it back,” he said.

Regardless of pizza preference, neither team’s shot at winning it all Friday night is pie in the sky.

“It’s our last chance, so I want to make it mean something,” said Dapice on behalf of the captain trio, each of whom has played for Syosset since 10th grade.

The Highlanders’ Haase has a message of his own as well.

“Be ready for Herricks to shock the world.”